Venezuelan Turmoil Cancels Ravinia Concert

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A planned Ravinia concert of a Venezuelan band has been cancelled due to conflict in the group's home country. The Simón Bolívar String Quartet was scheduled to perform Sept. 4, but the group has been forced to call off the rest of its tour because of travel complications caused by the political and economic instability in Venezuela.

“Artistically this tour was very important for the quartet,” said violinist Alejandro Carreño. “We want to let the presenters know how sorry we are about this situation that is out of our control, and we are hoping we can reschedule our dates in these important places.”

Those who bought tickets to the show will have refunds automatically processed to their original payment source. Ravinia announced it will not reopen on September 4 after the 1 p.m. Kids Concert by Laurie Berkner and that it regrets any inconvenience. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Highland Park — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Ravinia, which implements the “El Sistema” method of orchestra training in its REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs, said it hopes to welcome the Simón Bolívar String Quartet in future seasons.

_{Top photo: Simón Bolívar String Quartet performs in Australia in 2017 | via Youtube}